Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The US Marine Corps this morning named a building at the Marine Corps Ground Training Center in Twentynine Palms, California, the Corporal Jason L. Dunham Memorial Mess Hall, for the Scio, New York, native who died after saving the lives of his fellow Marines in Iraq back in 2004. Dunham was on patrol when his unit was attacked by insurgents, one of whom released a hand grenade. Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, saving several other men. He died eight days later. A post office and a guided missile destroyer have also been named for Dunham and, in 2007, his number was retired by the Don Raabe Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic Committee. He played in the game after his senior year of high school. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Chautauqua County National Guardsman who was an outspoken opponent of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was killed in a car crash in Rochester. 36-year-old Darren Manzella died after he was hit by an SUV while pushing a car on Interstate 490. Thursday night. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Manzella was a graduate of Brocton Central School and West Virginia University and an Iraq War veteran. In December of 2007 while serving in Iraq Manzella appeared on “60 Minutes” and talked about his opposition to “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” In June of 2008 he was discharged for “homosexual admission,” which was prohibited then, but isn't now. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

From CNN: "After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over," President Obama said Friday, announcing full withdrawal of U.S. troops by year's end. "Today I can say that our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays," he said. Obama said the United States will continue its interest in a strong, stable Iraq after U.S. troops leave.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against two men in a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States: “The allegations in the criminal complaint are shocking. I would like to thank our law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the Mexican government for their efforts to foil the alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. I support the Treasury Department’s sanctions on five individuals associated with this alleged plot. “Such an attack could have resulted in scores of American casualties. This incident shows that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ‘Qods’ force intends to continue extending its influence abroad. Through my oversight position on the Foreign Relations Committee, I have examined the efforts of the Iranian regime to supp...

AMITY, NY – On Thursday, Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham was honored by over a hundred family, friends, elected officials, military personnel and veterans during a special road and bridge dedication ceremony spearheaded by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean). A section of State Route 19 and the bridge that crosses over Interstate 86 in town are now known as the “Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial Highway" and "Corporal Jason Dunham Memorial Bridge” respectively - a designation signed into law by Governor Cuomo in early August. “Corporal Dunham is a true American hero. This bridge and roadway will not only honor Corporal Dunham for his sacrifices, but also will serve as a reminder to anyone traveling the roadways here that they are living in a free society because of the men and women who are willing to fight, and sometimes die, to protect our freedoms,” said Senator Young. In April 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Marine Corps. Cor...

A National Guard soldier from Kane has died in Afghanistan. 30-year-old Staff Sergeant Ken VanGiesen and two other members of his unit were killed Monday when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. The National Guard says the others who died are 47-year-old Sgt. Edward Koehler of Lebanon and 49-year-old Sgt, Brian Mowery of Hailfax. Five others were wounded, but their injuries are non-life-threatening. They were all serving with the 131st Transportation Company, 213th Area Support Group, which is primarily in charge of convoys and convoy security. VanGiesen was a 1999 graduate of Kane Area High School. He was on his fourth active-duty tour. He previously served in Germany from 2002 to 2003, Iraq from 2005 to 2006 with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 2009 with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. His parents went to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware today to pick up their son’s body. The Ronald McDonald Funeral Home in Kane is handling the arrangements. http://pa.ng....

A veteran from Gowanda who lost both of his legs in the Iraq War three years ago died Friday evening when he fell off a roller coaster at Darien Lake. Sgt. James Hackemer came out of the Ride of Steel roller coaster and died at around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, according to a statement from Darien Lake. The theme park is investigating, but believes all safety precautions were taken. The Ride of Steel will be closed until the investigation is complete, according to Darien Lake’s website.

A western Pennsylvania soldier posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of four comrades in Iraq will be inducted into the Little League Museum Hall of Excellence at this year's Little League World Series. 19-year-old Army Pfc. Ross McGinnnis of Knox died in 2006 after he dove on top of a grenade that had been thrown through the gunner's hatch of a Humvee on patrol outside of Baghdad. Little League president Stephen Keener calls McGinnis a true hero. McGinnis played second base and the outfield for six years in Little League. His mother, Romayne, says baseball taught her son teamwork and a commitment to achieving common goals. For more on this story go to LittleLeague.org .

ST. CHARLES, MO. -- Decorated Iraq War veteran Nick McLaughlin of St. Charles, Missouri, has announced the formation of a grass-roots, all volunteer organization to draft New York developer Donald J. Trump for the 2012 Republican Presidential Nomination. McLaughlin saw combat in three tours in Iraq in the US Marine Corp and was hit by shrapnel from a car bomb in Ubush, Iraq. He was awarded a Purple Heart and nine other medals including a Presidential citation. "Under Barak Obama, America has become a laughingstock around the world," said McLaughlin, in a news release sent to WESB and The HERO. "America needs a strong leader like Donald Trump to restore America's economic strength and respect around the world." McLaughlin, who has never been active in politics before, said he had filed the committee with the Federal Election Commission and that the organization was not directed, authorized or funded by Trump. "I have never met Mr. Trump," said McLaughli...

The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Pre-Commissioning Unit Jason Dunham, during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony Nov. 13 at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The new destroyer honors Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, the first Marine awarded the Medal of Honor for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Debra Dunham will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her late son. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when she gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" Dunham was born in Scio, N.Y., Nov. 10, 1981, sharing the same birthday as the U.S. Marine Corps. On April 14, 2004, Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in Karabilah, Iraq, when his battalion commander's convoy was ambushed. When Dunham's squad approached to provide fire support, an Iraqi insurgent leapt out of a vehicle and attack...

The Navy's newest guided missile destroyer, the USS Jason Dunham, has arrived at Port Everglades, Florida. The vessel arrived this morning from Bath, Maine, where it was built and christened. The 510-foot ship was named after Marine Corporal Jason Dunham, a native of Scio, New York. Dunham threw himself on a live grenade in April 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died eight days later at the age of 22. He, was honored posthumously with the Medal of Honor in 2006. Dunham was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in the Iraq war and the first Marine to receive the medal since the Vietnam War. Dunham played in the Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic football game and, during halftime of the 2007 game, his jersey number was retired.

During a trip to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, met with Vice President Biden at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to discuss the security situation in the country as well as the ongoing negotiations over the Iraqi government formation. He later met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Iyad Allawi, the heads of the leading blocs. Earlier in the day, he traveled to a U.S. military base in Salah ad Din to discuss political and security developments in the Kurdish region of the country, where he met with U.S. troops, including Captain Philip Balliet from Allentown. Photos provided by Casey's office

During a trip to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, spent July 4th with Pennsylvania troops based at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait where they are working on an effort to refurbish equipment coming out of Iraq for return back to the U.S. or to use in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Senator Casey's office

An Army National Guard soldier from Erie has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally bringing guns into the United States. 42-year-old James Bindeman is charged with of entry of goods into the United States by means of false statements. Prosecutors say Bindeman built a crate with a false bottom and hid 11 guns in it when he returned from duty in Iraq. He said the crate had power tools and golf clubs in it. The guns were discovered when the crate was unpacked at a guard readiness center in Cambridge Springs. Bindeman faces two years a prison, a fine of $250,000 or both when he’s sentenced on October 22. http://www.justice.gov/usao/paw/pr/2010_june/2010_06_21_03.html

HARRISBURG --The State House of Representatives today gave final approval to legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) that would honor a local soldier who died in Iraq by naming a bridge after him. The legislation would name a portion of Route 219 over the Little Toby Creek, Brockway Borough, the Christopher E. Loudon Memorial Bridge. Senate Bill 380 now goes to the Governor for his signature. “This is a fitting tribute to Second Lieutenant Loudon who died in Baghdad, Iraq, in October of 2006 while serving his country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Scarnati said. “A sign displaying his name will be erected at the bridge to honor his memory and his brave service and sacrifice.” Loudon was born in the City of DuBois, Clearfield County, and graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in environmental science in 2005. After graduation, Loudon entered the United States Army on September 9, 2005, was commissioned as an infantry officer and was assigne...

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter today introduced a resolution to commend the performance of the 56th Stryker Brigade who in September returned home from a nine month tour in Iraq. “Next week our nation will celebrate Veterans Day – a day to acknowledge the sacrifices made by all those who have worn our nation’s uniform and sacrifice in the name of honor and for the love of country. Pennsylvania’s 56th Stryker Brigade continued this tradition with a successful deployment to Iraq,” said Senator Casey. “For these reasons, I am proud to introduce a Senate resolution recognizing their contributions, valor and honor to our nation, and I know that the people of Pennsylvania and the nation thank them for their service.” “I applaud the members of the 56th Stryker Brigade for their honorable service to our nation while deployed in Iraq,” said Senator Specter. “This Senate resolution is a small token of gratitude for the sacrifices the members have made to keep our n...

Command Sgts. Maj. Rory Malloy (at right) 1st Cavalry Division, and John Jones (second from right), 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, congratulate Spc. Michael Burke (left), of Ridgway, Pa., Sgt. Christopher Bierbower, of Kane, Pa., and Sgt. 1st Class Steven Jones, of Bradford, Pa., on being selected to represent 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry in the annual Lt. Gen. Milton G. Baker Non-commissioned Officer Leadership Competition. Jones won the non-commissioned officer of the year award, Burke won soldier of the year and Bierbower received the Milton G. Baker Award at the battalion level. They will all now compete in January at the brigade level. The Pennsylvania Army National Guard state competition works similar to Soldier of the Year boards. Baker founded Valley Forge Military Academy. ( Photo by Master Sgt. Sean Whelan ) Thanks Dawn & Steve!

Thanks so much to Capt. Cory Angell! Members of Co. C, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, patrol a main road in the town of Zorba, Iraq, before returning to their Joint Security Station in Hor Al Bosh. Staff Sgt. Thomas Bleem, Bradford Pa., takes a knee to pull security during a vehicle stop while on patrol in the farming town of Zorba, Iraq, with Co. C, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Staff Sgt. Steven Jones, Bradford Pa., leads a patrol in the Taji Market with Co. C, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Sgt. Mike Gallo, Pittsburgh, talks with the Soldiers mounted in the Stryker vehicles by radio as they conduct a patrol in Taji Market. The Soldiers are members of Co. C, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Multi-National Division – B...

A Mansfield, PA, soldier is back in United States after being wounded in Afghanistan over the weekend. 35-year-old Bobby Weiskopff was shot twice during a battle Saturday near the Pakistan border. Weiskopff was initially flown to a base in Germany for treatment, and arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington yesterday for rehabilitation. Weiskopff graduated from Mansfield High School in 1993 and Mansfield University in 1997. His brother Mike is currently serving in Iraq.